My band can beat up your band

Would you ever announce on your blog that you had never heard a Pearl Jam song? Or couldn't name any by Coldplay or Stone Temple Pilots? Or never owned an REM or U2 album? I would, and am, as an intro to this week's bracket discussion. Because if you're gonna talk bracket openly, honestly, then you need to cop to never having seen Austin Peay, or knowing who Western Kentucky's coach is, or where Belmont is.

So, if you ask me:

In the 70s region I'd watch out for Queen. Lotta haters, but very underrated. Hendrix is strong, but one man can't win it alone. It's the safe choice, but look for No. 1 Led Zeppelin and No. 2 Pink Floyd to meet in the regional final.

In the 80s it's hard to fathom how The Police get a No. 8 seed and REM gets a 13. That's just nuts. But this region is all about the power of low seeds. Look for No. 5 Van Halen to cruise to the regional final, meeting No. 7 Tom Petty.

The 90s is a tough region. I'll be the first to admit I don't know a lot of these contenders. These were my prime bachelor years, but I've never heard of many of these contenders. Just going by rep, with Pearl Jam out of the way I look for upset-minded Dave Matthews to land in the final against Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I'm equally ignoration about these 00s region entrants. Foo Fighters sound combative, and already beat something called Seether and the irreverant-sounding Godsmack. (Lot of existential anger in the 00s.) I once found an Incubus CD in the street in front of my house, but they sounded like crap so I'm not rooting for them. I've always thought Linkin Park was a catchy name, so let's look for them to meet the Foo boys (they are boys, right?), in the final.

In the Final Four, look for Led Zeppelin's seniors to wipe the floor with Pearl Jam and Van Halen to win the Foo fight. Led Zeppelin over Eddie V. and company in 2 OT.

(Hat tip: Keekley.)

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Hoops this weekend? Let me know if you will or will not be there. We tip off at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, as usual.